$5M Lawsuit Filed against Diocese of Venice

ABC 7
September 23, 2014

http://www.abc-7.com/story/26607934/5m-sex-abuse-lawsuit-filed-against-diocese-of-venice


A lawsuit released Tuesday shows disturbing accusations against a former church volunteer convicted of sexually molesting a child, and the school he volunteered at.

The suit says school leaders at Saint Francis Xavier in Fort Myers knew Robert Little assaulted a 10-year-old boy and did nothing to keep him away from children.

Three years later, Little sexually abused a mentally disabled teen. The teen's family is suing the Diocese of Venice for negligence saying it should have stepped in when it learned about the assault against the 10-year-old.

Robert Little pleaded guilty in one case. That victim is now asking for $5 million dollars.

In a statement the Diocese says in part: “At no time either prior to or since the arrest of Mr. Robert Little did the Diocese of Venice or the parish receive any complaint of an assault by Mr. Little as alleged in the complaint.”

The lawsuit claims the diocese didn't remove Little, didn't increase supervision, warn parishioners or limit little's contact with minors.

The Diocese of Venice said in its statement that the abuse of the victim who is suing did not happen on church property.

They add that a background check on Little cleared him in 2010 and at the time there was nothing to prevent him from volunteering.